Abstract: A standoff connector for fastening two plates in spaced relation, including a body and a stud for insertion into the body. The body has a base and a trunk projecting upward from the base, and also has a central opening for receiving the stud, with a sleeve carried in the central opening with a plurality of spaced resilient fingers having upper ends fixed in the trunk and lower ends spaced from the trunk for outward radial movement, the lower ends of the fingers having inwardly directed tips for gripping the stud. The stud has a shaft for positioning in the body opening and a handle at one end for rotating the stud, with a shaft having a major diameter adjacent the other end and a minor diameter between the major diameter and the handle for receiving the tips of the body sleeve, with the body and stud having interengaging elements for limiting rotation of the stud in the body.

Abstract: A two-point latch for a door, and having first and second bolts, a latch body with a housing and a cap defining a slide path within the body for the bolts, first and second handles mounted in the latch body for sliding along a handle path parallel to the slide path, and a spring carried in the handles for urging the handles apart. First and second bolt actuators are positioned in the latch body between the handles and the bolts, with the first handle and actuator interengaging for connecting the first actuator to the first handle, and with the second handle and actuator interengaging for connecting the second actuator to the second handle. The first actuator and bolt interengage for drawing the first bolt inward by the first handle, and the second actuator and bolt interengage for drawing the second bolt inward by the second handle, and another spring is carried in the latch body for urging the bolts outward.

Abstract: The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is a multiple speed fastener having a first pair of interengageable threaded members with a first pitch and a first thread direction, a second pair of interengageable threaded members with a second pitch different from the first pitch and a second thread direction different from the first thread direction, the first pair including a first actuator threadably engageable with a first threaded member and the second pair including a second actuator threadably engageable with a second threaded member, and a coupling means for coupling the first pair to the second pair, with the first actuator and the coupling means having first means for selectively engaging the first actuator and coupling means to rotate the coupling means with the first actuator, and with the coupling means and the second actuator having second means for engaging the second actuator to rotate the second threaded member when the first actuator and coupling means are engaged.

Abstract: A hook latch mechanism for joining two members of an engine cowl or the like, with the hook latch mechanism carried on one member on a mounting bolt and a keeper carried on the other member, and with a keeper engaging hook spaced from the handle.

Abstract: A collapsible strut for connection between a first member and a second member mounted on the first member.

Abstract: A latch and keeper combination for use with an aircraft panel or the like for joining one member to another member under tension and shear loading. A keeper for attaching to one member and having a bracket with an eye bolt and a bushing included therein, and a latch for attaching to another member and having a housing with cover and a hook, a lever and a shear pin included therein. The hook and lever are rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis, with the hook having an arcuate finger for engaging the keeper eye bolt, with the shear pin sliding into and out of the keeper bushing and with the lever driving the pin. The hook rotates the lever to a closed position to engage the shear pin with the bushing and to an open position to disengage the shear pin from the bushing. A plunger carried in the housing for translation along the axis, and a spring in the housing for urging the plunger outward along the axis, with plunger and hook providing for locking the hook in the closed position.

Abstract: A single-point latch for a door, having a housing, a bolt mounted in the housing for sliding along a first axis, an actuator mounted in the housing for sliding along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and first and second handles mounted in the housing for sliding along a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes. The latch further includes a first spring arrangement carried in the handles for urging the handles apart, with the handles and the actuator having first interengaging cam surfaces for moving the actuator along the second axis by movement of the handles along the third axis toward each other, the actuator and bolt having second interengaging cam surfaces for moving the bolt inward into the housing along the first axis by the movement of the handles along the third axis, and a second spring carried in the housing for urging the bolt outward from the body to a latched position.

Abstract: A latch having a housing and a handle mounted in the housing for pivoting between a rest position and an unlatching position, a cam lever pivotally mounted in the housing for rotation by the handle about a first axis, a bolt drive slide mounted in the housing for translation along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a bolt mounted in the housing for translation along a third axis perpendicular to the second axis, and springs for the slide and the bolt, with the cam lever and bolt drive slide engaging for moving the slide and with the bolt drive slide and bolt engaging for moving the bolt when the handle is pivoted to the unlatching position.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding a strip of blind rivets, with each of the rivets having a pin within a sleeve and with the pin having a pulling head and shank, including a strip advance rod mounted in the apparatus for movement between first and second positions, a set of pin mold cavities and a set of sleeve mold cavities, a first runner for feeding the pin mold cavities and including a band around the rod, a second runner overlying the first runner for feeding the sleeve mold cavities, opposing mold members defining the sets of cavities and a sprue for feeding molding material to the runners, with the rod and strip moving together when the mold members are out of engagement for advancing the molded parts, and with the rod moving through the strip when the mold members are in engagement for returning the rod to the first position.

Abstract: A draw latch for a container or the like including a latch mounting bracket, a U-shaped yoke, with the bracket and yoke interconnected for pivoting of the yoke relative to the bracket, a hook with a U-shaped end defining a cam space, with the bight of the yoke slidingly positioned in the cam space, and a cam carried in the cam space for translation and rotation relative to the hook and yoke for actuating the latch.

Abstract: Method for molding a strip of blind rivets, with each of the rivets having a pin within a sleeve and with the pin having a pulling head and shank, including a strip advance rod mounted in the apparatus for movement between first and second positions, a set of pin mold cavities and a set of sleeve mold cavities, a first runner for feeding the pin mold cavities and including a band around the rod, a second runner overlying the first runner for feeding the sleeve mold cavities, opposing mold members defining the sets of cavities and a sprue for feeding molding material to the runners, with the rod and strip moving together when the mold members are out of engagement for advancing the molded parts, and with the rod moving through the strip when the mold members are in engagement for returning the rod to the first position.

Abstract: A catch for a door latch or the like for use with a strike for latching a door. The catch is formed of a single piece, typically a molding or a stamping, with a base for mounting at a door or door frame, a lever fixed to the base, and a tang carried on the lever. The tang has a normal position and a latching position with the lever functioning as a spring to urge the tang to the normal position, and with the tang being deflectable to the latching position for passing over a ramp of a strike.

Abstract: A latching mechanism employing a keeper and hook mechanism. The hook mechanism is mounted by means of an overcenter mechanism to a mounting pin. The mounting pin is arranged in a slot through the body of the hook. The mutual pivot axis of the overcenter mechanism also extends in a locked position to seats located on the body of the hook. There seats are recessed in a direction perpendicular to the mutual pivot axis.

Abstract: A cover for a latch or the like mounted at an opening in a panel and comprising a base member and a closure member, with the base member having a bottom and a wall around the bottom, and with the closure member having a gasket, a closed top, and a hinge joining the gasket and top. The base member bottom and the closure member gasket have openings for alignment with the panel opening for receiving the latch and clamping the cover to the panel around the latch, with the base member wall and said closure member top having interengaging lips for holding the closure member top on the base member wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a strip of blind rivets, with each of the rivets having a pin within a sleeve and with the pin having a pulling head and shank, including a strip advance rod mounted in the apparatus for movement between first and second positions, a set of pin mold cavities and a set of sleeve mold cavities, a first runner for feeding the pin mold cavities and including a band around the rod, a second runner overlying the first runner for feeding the sleeve mold cavities, opposing mold members defining the sets of cavities and a sprue for feeding molding material to the runners, with the rod and strip moving together when the mold members are out of engagement for advancing the molded parts, and with the rod moving through the strip when the mold members are in engagement for returning the rod to the first position.

Abstract: A rod end lock for latching heavy objects. The rod end lock has a barrel with a mounting end and a latch end. The latch end has a bite portion such that a keeper is secured at a location centered about the axis of the barrel. The mounting end is coaxial with the barrel and has the same centerline. A locking element is movably connected to the barrel and is biased in a closed position such that the locking element and the bite portion form an enclosed space therebetween for latching the keeper. The keeper is released by actuating the locking element to the open position thereby overcoming the bias to the closed position.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the load applied through the keeper or latch portion of a latch assembly. The mechanism includes a main body, a drive system for applying a preload, a slip clutch mechanism for disengaging the drive system when a predetermined preload is reached, and an adjusting means on the slip clutch mechanism for selecting the predetermined preload.

Abstract: A latch handle assembly for securing a latch having a trigger pin includes a handle pivotally joined to the latch. A trigger latch is pivotally joined to the handle and includes an opening engageable onto the trigger pin. A cam is pivotally joined to the handle and is engageable onto the trigger pin to compensate for any clearances between the parts, and thereby prevent chattering and excessive wear within the handle assembly due to vibration.

Abstract: A locking entry door latch equipped with a positive locking dead bolt and a latch bolt. The latch includes a housing, a sliding latch bolt mechanism, a sliding dead bolt mechanism, a center bolt to resist longitudinal loading, a strike assembly with a precatch that holds the door latched when it is not completely closed and a final catch for the latch bolt and dead bolt, a locking mechanism and inside and outside operating handles. Both the locking mechanism and the operating handles are independently operable from inside or outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A latch system for coupling a panel or access door to a structure, having a hook, a keeper, an overcenter mechanism and an actuator. When the hook engages the keeper, the keeper drives a ramp formed into the hook causing the hook to pivot. The hook, torsionally linked to the overcenter mechanism, activates the overcenter mechanism securing the hook in a closed position. When the actuator is depressed it reverses the overcenter mechanism pivoting the hook into an open position. Multiple hooks are shown associated with the latching assembly.